Auto Retail Live – Q1 2021 Briefing
13 January 2021
As we start 2021 under lockdown conditions, retail businesses are once again responding with determination to get the best out of a challenging situation. In our first broadcast of 2021, Auto Retail Live’s Q1 Briefing examines the pinch-points of the latest lockdown, how customer buying habits have evolved and what’s the best course of action to get through this, especially if the lockdown continues into March; the UK’s biggest month for new car sales.
In our Q1 Briefing James Brearley, Inchcape UK CEO, Rawdon Glover, Jaguar Land Rover UK managing director and Ian Plummer, commercial director at Auto Trader all share their experience of how best to operate under the latest lockdown.
The focus for this webinar will be retail new and used car sales, how to thrive online and how to prepare for lockdown’s lifting.
Key topics for discussion include:
- What to do as we get ready to exit lockdown
- What if lockdown is extended into March?
- Customer behaviour in lockdown 3.0
- Will people buy without a test drive?
- What are the longer-term impacts of an on-off market?
REGISTER and join us online for our Q1 Briefing. It’s 45 minutes that will give you practical advice and expert opinion on the quarter, and the race to the end of the year – from some of the most successful operators in the auto retail industry.
Auto Retail Live is a series of business briefings produced in partnership with Auto Trader that will run throughout 2021.
It’s just 45 minutes of your time which will give you the inside knowledge to hit your targets this quarter and to put you in the best position for the rest of 2021… and all delivered in the comfort of your own office!
Panelists
James Brearley, Inchcape UK, CEO
James Brearley was appointed CEO, Inchcape UK in January 2017. He joined the company as special projects director in 2016, assisting with development and implementation of various aspects of the Ignite strategy, particularly regarding used cars. James has more than 30 years’ experience in the volume and premium automotive industries, most recently as managing director of Stratstone for Pendragon PLC, a role he held from 2008 to 2015. With strategic responsibility for a wide range of premium brands, including JLR, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, James managed a £1.6bn turnover business with 2,500 employees over 130 sites.
Rawdon Glover, Jaguar Land Rover UK managing director
With an automotive career spanning 20 years, Rawdon has held senior director roles in the Volkswagen Group in sales, marketing, aftersales in the UK and overseas markets. He joined Jaguar Land Rover in 2013 and before becoming UK managing director in 2018 held the position of Global Director for Services.
Ian Plummer, Auto Trader, commercial director
Ian joined Auto Trader in 2017 and is responsible, in particular, for growing Auto Trader’s new car business, as well as overseeing the manufacturer and agency part of the business. Previously Ian worked at Volkswagen, where he was director of sales operations in the UK, responsible for all UK Volkswagen passenger car sales as well as the franchise management and commercial programmes. Ian was also the former managing director of Renault Retail Group responsible for 25 Renault and Nissan dealerships, and prior to that held various international marketing, after-sales and e-business roles at Renault’s headquarters in Paris.
Al Clarke, programme host, Auto Retail Network
Al has held senior executive roles with Ferrari, Maserati and the SMMT. Al started his career as a journalist and presenter with a decade working for the BBC and in commercial radio. He has a particular interest in the application of digital technology and connected car services in the automotive industry and regularly speaks at, and chairs events on, these issues.